CVE-2025-10147: Podlove Podcast Publisher RCE Vulnerability

CVE-2025-10147 Overview

The Podlove Podcast Publisher plugin for WordPress contains a critical arbitrary file upload vulnerability in the move_as_original_file function. Due to missing file type validation in all versions up to and including 4.2.6, unauthenticated attackers can upload arbitrary files to the affected site's server, potentially enabling remote code execution.

Critical Impact

Unauthenticated attackers can upload malicious files including PHP webshells, enabling full server compromise and remote code execution without requiring any authentication.

Affected Products

• Podlove Podcast Publisher plugin for WordPress versions up to and including 4.2.6
• WordPress installations using vulnerable Podlove plugin versions
• Web servers hosting affected WordPress sites

Discovery Timeline

• 2025-09-23 - CVE-2025-10147 published to NVD
• 2025-09-24 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-10147

Vulnerability Analysis

This vulnerability is classified as CWE-434 (Unrestricted Upload of File with Dangerous Type). The core issue resides in the move_as_original_file function within the plugin's image handling code located at lib/model/image.php. The function fails to implement proper file type validation before processing uploaded files, creating a direct path for attackers to upload executable content.

The vulnerability is particularly severe because it requires no authentication to exploit. An attacker can craft malicious requests to upload PHP files or other executable content directly to the WordPress server. Once uploaded, these files can be accessed via the web server to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the web server process.

WordPress plugins that handle file uploads are a frequent target for attackers, as successful exploitation often leads to complete site compromise, data exfiltration, malware distribution, or use of the compromised server for further attacks.

Root Cause

The root cause is the absence of file type validation in the move_as_original_file function at line 465 of lib/model/image.php. The function accepts and processes uploaded files without verifying that the file extension and MIME type correspond to expected image formats. This allows attackers to bypass intended restrictions and upload files with executable extensions such as .php, .phtml, or other server-interpreted file types.

Attack Vector

The attack can be executed remotely over the network without any prior authentication or user interaction. An attacker would identify a WordPress site running a vulnerable version of the Podlove Podcast Publisher plugin and craft HTTP requests targeting the vulnerable file upload functionality.

The attacker submits a malicious file (typically a PHP webshell) through the vulnerable upload endpoint. Since no file type validation occurs, the server accepts and stores the file. The attacker then accesses the uploaded file via its URL, causing the web server to execute the malicious code.

Successful exploitation grants the attacker the ability to execute arbitrary commands on the server, read sensitive configuration files (including database credentials), modify or delete site content, pivot to other systems on the network, or install persistent backdoors.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-10147

Indicators of Compromise

• Presence of unexpected PHP files or files with suspicious extensions in WordPress upload directories
• Web server access logs showing requests to unfamiliar PHP files in plugin directories or uploads folders
• Unusual outbound network connections from the web server process
• Modified timestamps on core WordPress or plugin files
• New or unfamiliar user accounts in WordPress with elevated privileges

Detection Strategies

• Monitor file system integrity for new files appearing in the wp-content/uploads/ directory structure, particularly files with executable extensions
• Implement web application firewall (WAF) rules to detect and block file upload attempts containing executable content
• Review web server access logs for POST requests to Podlove plugin endpoints followed by GET requests to unusual file paths
• Deploy endpoint detection solutions capable of identifying webshell behavior patterns
• Scan WordPress installations for known webshell signatures and suspicious file patterns

Monitoring Recommendations

• Enable detailed logging on the WordPress installation and web server to capture file upload activities
• Configure alerts for new file creation events in plugin and upload directories
• Monitor for process spawning from web server processes (e.g., www-data or apache spawning shell processes)
• Implement network monitoring to detect command-and-control communications from compromised servers
• Regularly audit installed plugin versions against known vulnerability databases

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-10147

Immediate Actions Required

• Update the Podlove Podcast Publisher plugin to a patched version immediately
• Review upload directories for any suspicious or unauthorized files and remove them
• Check WordPress user accounts and remove any unauthorized administrative users
• Review web server access logs for signs of exploitation attempts
• Consider temporarily disabling the plugin if an update cannot be applied immediately

Patch Information

A security patch has been released addressing this vulnerability. The fix is documented in WordPress Changeset 3364994. Site administrators should update to the latest version of the Podlove Podcast Publisher plugin through the WordPress admin dashboard or by manually downloading and installing the updated plugin files. For detailed vulnerability analysis, refer to the Wordfence Vulnerability Analysis.

Workarounds

• Implement server-side file upload restrictions to block executable file types at the web server level
• Configure .htaccess rules to prevent PHP execution in upload directories
• Deploy a Web Application Firewall (WAF) with rules to block malicious file upload attempts
• Restrict network access to WordPress admin areas using IP allowlisting where feasible
• Enable WordPress security plugins that provide real-time file integrity monitoring

# Apache configuration to prevent PHP execution in uploads directory
# Add to .htaccess in wp-content/uploads/
<FilesMatch "\.(?:php|phtml|php[3-7]?)$">
    Require all denied
</FilesMatch>

# Alternative: Disable PHP engine entirely in uploads
php_flag engine off